Papua New Guinea ousts Taiwan officials, seeks to 'reassure' China after Australian treaty

Papua New Guinea has moved to close Taiwan's trade mission in its capital, Port Moresby, a significant strategic shift aimed at strengthening relations with China. Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced Thursday that Taiwan's presence was "no longer recognised or required," framing the decision as a "vital" step toward deepening trust with Beijing and reaffirming the country's commitment to the One China policy.

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Taiwan's presence was no longer recognised or required.

Taiwanese officials in Port Moresby expressed surprise at the decision, learning about it through media inquiries. Taiwan's foreign ministry issued a statement opposing the "unilateral decision" and asserting its intention to maintain normal operations of its representative office to safeguard national interests and provide services to its citizens. The ministry indicated it is seeking dialogue with the Papua New Guinea government and support from like-minded nations.

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Our representative office in Papua New Guinea will continue to operate normally and, in accordance with relevant regulations, safeguard our nation's rights and interests and provide necessary services to our nationals.

China welcomed the move, with an embassy official in Port Moresby calling it a "right decision" that would "further consolidate the political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations and cooperation." This action comes as the Pacific region remains a focal point for diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

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It is a right decision ... which will further consolidate political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

Mihai Sora, research director at the Lowy Institute, suggested the move against Taipei is intended to help Papua New Guinea secure diplomatic ties with Beijing while simultaneously deepening security cooperation with Australia. He noted that Papua New Guinea "wants to provide reassurance to Beijing at a time when... senior officials and political figures in Beijing might be concerned that PNG is pulling very closely to Australia." This diplomatic maneuver occurs shortly after a landmark defense alliance, the Pukpuk Treaty, came into force between Papua New Guinea and Australia this month.

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PNG ... wants to provide reassurance to Beijing at a time when you can imagine senior officials and political figures in Beijing might be concerned that PNG is pulling very closely to Australia.